Feijoa variety named ‘Kakariki’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of feijoa plant denominated as ‘kakariki’ is described and which is characterized as to novelty by producing a fruit which is ripe for harvesting under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand at least as early 28 March.

Latin name: ‘Acca sellowiana’.

Varietal designation: ‘Kakariki’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of feijoa‘Acca sellowiana’ and more specifically to a feijoa variety whichproduces fruit which are ripe for harvesting in the very early season,that is, from at least as early as about 28 Mar. 2008 under theecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.

It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to provide afeijoa variety that bears a crop earlier in the season then thosevarieties that it is most closely similar to, and under the ecologicalconditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In this regard, severalwell known and popular feijoa varieties are harvested in both the earlyand late seasons near Nelson, New Zealand. However, their respectivefruit sizes are relatively small, on average, when compared to the largefruit size produced by the present variety of feijoa. More specifically,the variety of feijoa identified by the varietal name ‘Opal Star’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,825) is characterized by producing a relatively smallsized fruit (about 85 grams) during the late season, that is, from about16 May 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, NewZealand. Still further, the variety ‘Apollo’ (unpatented), produces anaverage sized fruit weighing about 100 grams and which is ripe forharvesting about 18 Apr. 2008 under the same ecological conditions.Still further, the unpatented variety ‘Triumph’ produces a small fruit(about 85 grams) and which is ripe for harvesting about 23 May 2008under the same ecological conditions. Yet further, the variety ‘Unique’(unpatented) also produces a small fruit (about 85 grams), and which isripe in the early season for harvesting, that is, on or about 18 Apr.2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, NewZealand. Moreover, the present variety is similar in some respects tothe feijoa variety ‘Kaiteri’ (U.S. Plant patent pending, Ser. No.12/322,988), and which is ripe for harvesting in the very early season,that is, on or after about 4 Apr. 2008, under the ecological conditionsprevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. Still further, the new variety issomewhat similar to the variety named ‘Anatoki’ (U.S. Plant patentpending, Ser. No. 12/378,015), and which produces a relatively largesized fruit (about 100 grams) in the very early season, that being on orafter 11 Apr. 2008 under the current ecological conditions prevailingnear Nelson, New Zealand. In contrast, the present variety of feijoa isdistinguished therefrom and characterized as to novelty by producing alarge fruit (greater than about 125 grams) in the very early season,that being as early as 28 Mar. 2008 under the ecological conditionsprevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In view of its early harvestingdate, and large size, the present variety provides a degree ofcommercial and consumer appeal not present with respect to other knownvarieties.

ORIGIN ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The present variety of feijoa was derived from a selectivecross-pollination of the unpatented feijoa variety ‘Apollo’ and anunnamed seedling which was conducted in the cultivated area of theApplicant's farm during the 1996 growing season. The present variety‘Kakariki’ was first asexually reproduced from cuttings taken from thisfirst asexually reproduced plant. Subsequent thereto, it has beenestablished that the asexually reproduced plants derived from thesecuttings are true over several successive generations. The presentvariety is unique and novel as to other varieties it is most closelysimilar to by producing a large sized fruit having an average weight ofat least about 125 grams and which is ripe for harvesting on or after 28Mar. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, NewZealand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs ofthe new variety of feijoa. The colors in these photographs are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible on a color representation of this type.Due to chemical development, processing, and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future colorreferences should be made to the color plates as provided by The RoyalHorticulture Society Colour Charts (1995 Edition).

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the new feijoa variety growing on itsown roots and which is approximately 4 years old.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of typical fruit which are sufficiently maturedfor harvesting.

FIG. 3 is a picture of two fruit of the present variety, one of which isdivided in the equatorial plane to show the flesh characteristicsthereof.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely complywith the provisions of 35 USC §112, and does not constitute a commercialwarranty (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will,in the future, display the botanical, pomological or othercharacteristics as set forth hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure maynot be relied upon to support any future legal claims, which include,but are not limited to breach of warranty of merchantability, fitnessfor any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed inwhole, or in part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Height — About 2 meters.        -   Crown diameter.—About 2 meters when measured at a distance            of about 1 meter above the ground.        -   Vigor.—Average for the species.        -   Tree form.—Ramified.        -   Growth habit.—Considered spreading.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—About 7 cm. when measured at a distance of about            20 cm. above the ground.        -   Bark texture.—Rough, and somewhat flaky.        -   Bark color.—Grey-brown (RHS 199B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaf length.—On average about 70 mm.        -   Leaf width.—On average about 35 mm.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptical.        -   Marginal form.—Generally — Straight.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface — Green (RHS 139A).        -   Leaf color.—Lower surface — Grey-green (RHS 190C).-   Flowers:    -   -   Quantity of flowers per cluster.—4 or 5 flowers may be found            per cluster.        -   Flower petals.—Quantity — 4.        -   Flower petal color.—Upper surface — White (RHS 155C).        -   Flower petal color.—Lower surface — Red-purple (RHS 65D).        -   Sepals.—Numbers — 4.        -   Stamins.—Numbers — Numerous.        -   Stamins.—Color — Red (RHS 45C).        -   Pistil.—Numbers — 1.        -   Pistil.—Color — Red (RHS 45A).        -   Pollination.—Generally — Self-infertile. The inventor has            discovered that any other feijoa variety that flowers at            approximately the same time of the season may be a suitable            pollinator.-   Fruit:-   Fruit size: At full commercial maturity, the fruit is considered to    be large and has an average fruit weight of about 100 grams.    -   -   Fruit length.—About 80 mm.        -   Fruit width.—About 55 mm.        -   Fruit shape.—Considered elongated and obovoid when            considered in profile.        -   Fruit skin texture.—Irregularly bumpy.        -   Fruit skin color.—Green (RHS 143C).        -   Fruit flesh.—Texture — Smooth and soft.        -   Fruit flesh flavor.—Sweet with some acid. The fruit flesh is            considered aromatic.        -   Brix.—At the appropriate harvesting time, about 12 degrees.        -   Flesh.—Color — White (RHS 157C).        -   Ripe for harvesting and shipment.—Considered very early from            at least about 28 Mar. 2008 under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.        -   Fruit use.—For local fresh markets and processed            consumption.        -   Fruit storage.—About 16 days at a temperature of 1 degree            Celsius. The fruit of the present variety has a shelf life            of about 2 to 7 days.

Although the new variety of feijoa herein denominated as ‘Kakariki’possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecologicalconditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand, it should be understoodthat variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest controlare to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of feijoa plant substantially asillustrated and described and which is characterized as to novelty byproducing a large fruit which is mature for harvesting under theecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand at least asearly as about 28 March.